Ossining star Chong scores 31 in state playoff win over Horseheads

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Ossining led from start to finish and ended the Horseheads girls basketball team's season with a 69-49 victory Tuesday night in a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA girls basketball regional at the College of New Rochelle.

Saniya Chong, who ranks sixth in scoring in New York state girls history, had 31 points, eight assists and five steals. The 5-foot-7 senior guard came into the game averaging 35 points this season.

Horseheads coach Andy Scott said Tess Wicks did a solid job guarding the UConn-bound Chong, who still managed to take over the game.

"Tess did a nice job on a girl who's one of the premier players in the country," Scott said.

"She just blew up and made some fantastic shots. She's probably the most talented player this program has ever played against."

Horseheads finished with a 17-4 record.

Section 1 champion Ossining (19-4) will meet Section 9 champion Monroe-Woodbury at 2:45 p.m. Sunday at West Point's Christl Arena in the regional final. The winner advances to the final four at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

Eighth-grader Andra Espinoza-Hunter added 15 points for the Pride. Sophomore center Jalay Knowles, out since Feb. 15 with an ankle injury, had 13 rebounds in her return.

Horseheads was within 17-12 after the first quarter before the Pride steadily pulled away. Ossining increased its lead to 34-19 at halftime, with Chong leading the way with 14 points.

Chong scored 13 points in Ossining's 24-point third quarter as the Pride extended its lead to 58-34.

"(Horseheads) was just very physical," Chong said. "I wouldn't say they (tried to) knock me down, but they were trying to play as hard as they could because they knew it could go either way."